Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Visiting the Ponies at Assateague Island

Visiting Assateague Island isn't just a summer day (or weekend) trip -- the island offers a lot of interest for all seasons. When the ocean-dipping crowds depart, the island really comes alive for me. Cooler weather means pleasant walks along the island trails, and of course, no bugs!

Map courtesy of AssateagueIsland.com

Assateague Island is a 37-mile long barrier island located off the eastern coast Maryland and Virginia. The Maryland section contains the majority of Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park. The Virginia section contains Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and a small part of the national seashore.

Of course, it is best known for its herds of feral horses* and pristine beaches. The island also offers numerous marshes, bays, and coves. Several different companies offer boat tours and guided kayaking trips to see the horses and other island wildlife (that's on my wish list of daytrips!). The island also offers a taste of the natural seashore that is almost nowhere to be found now. If you need the boardwalk, the arcades, and the pizza joints, then head a few miles north to Ocean City, where all that kitschy beach-town glitz can be enjoyed.

*Because I am NOT horse-knowledgeable, I am using the terms horse and pony interchangably, primarily because it sounds cute to call them ponies. I am aware there is a difference in terms of size and definition between horse and pony. There is a controversy between Maryland and Virginia -- the equines in Maryland are referred to as horses, whereas the ones on the Virginia side of the state line are referred to as ponies, despite the fact there is no discernible difference between the herds.

For me as well, Assateague is a place of memories -- my family went camping there in the 1970s, until a storm almost blew our camper over. (Sunburned and tired, the next day we packed up and headed to the mountains, never to return -- at least, as a family unit.) But despite that, I have many fond memories in Assateague as a child, including the thrill of seeing the wild ponies and splashing in the ocean. Like many little girls, I grew up reading Marguerite Henry's series of children's books about the wild horses, beginning with her most famous, Misty of Chincoteague.

With some time on our hands one recent fall Saturday, we decided to head down to Assateague Island, check out the ponies, have lunch at Berlin near by, stop at one of the farm stands along the way to pick up some apples, and check out any interesting stores we happened to notice as we passed by. We packed up the dogs, grabbed some extra water and a dog bowl, and hit the road.

We soon passed several roadside farm produce stands, and stopped to purchase a variety of apples, some vegetables, and winter squash. After a quick walk for the dogs, we were off again, next stop: Assateague Island.

Once over the bridge that connects the island to the mainland on the Maryland end of the island, we were immediately greeted by a welcoming committee of wild ponies. It is not known exactly how these horses came to the island. Local folklore describes the Assateague horses as survivors of a shipwreck off the Virginia coast. While this dramatic and romantic tale of struggle and survival is popular, there are no records yet that confirm it. The most plausible explanation is that they are the descendants of horses that were brought to barrier islands like Assateague in the late 17th century by mainland owners to avoid fencing laws and taxation of livestock.

The ponies struggle to survive on the island. The summer brings mosquitos, horse flies, and scorching heat; the winter brings frigid, unrelenting winds and storms. These are tough little ponies!

Cute as they are -- these horses are WILD; they don’t behave like domestic horses and can’t be treated like the trained, domesticated horses we see in farm pastures, so be cautious, and follow the guidelines provided by the National Park Service:

For your safety and the safety of the horses, do not approach, touch or feed them

Stay at least a “bus length” away, but remember that may still be much too close depending on the circumstances

If horses approach you, back off and return to your vehicle

If horses approach your vehicle, roll all windows up--we had to do this because our greeting committee came trotting up to our vehicle as soon as she realized we had dogs. Then she stood with her lips against the car window, daring us to drive away. We just sat, while the beagles went hysterically berserk, until she got bored and drifted away.

Don’t open trunks or coolers if horses are nearby

Assateague horses DO bite and kick, and can carry rabies.

Beagle and pony touch noses through the car window.

Before the national seashore was created in 1965, the island was going to be turned into a private resort community called Ocean Beach, Maryland. Some 5,000 private lots comprising what is now National Park Service property were zoned and sold for resort development in the 1950s. However, the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 halted the plans for development. The Nor'easter destroyed the few existing structures on the island that had been built and ripped the roads apart. Realizing that the island was too unstable to build upon, the housing development firm sold all of its land to the federal government.

To this day, it is not possible to drive the entire length of the island; one must travel on the mainland to journey between the National Seashore in Maryland and the National Refuge in Virginia.

In 1962, Assateague Island National Seashore was established for the purpose of protecting Assateague Island in the states of Virginia and Maryland. Assateague Island is managed by three official park agencies. Assateague Island National Seashore is cared for and managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Department of Natural Resources. Assateague is vital for resting and feeding migratory shorebirds and other abundant bird species. More than 320 species of birds can be found here.

Many other creatures also call this home -- so keep your eyes peeled as you walk the trails and explore the island -- you'll be sure to see evidence! Assateague Island is a priceless seashore ecosystem that deserves our interest and protection.

If you go for just the day, then consider also stopping at nearby Berlin. Less than 8 miles away, this historic town offers quaint shops and small restaurants give visitors the chance to step back in time. Berlin also was the filming location for two major motion pictures, "Runaway Bride" and "Tuck Everlasting."

Tip: If you go between Memorial Day and Labor Day -- beware: dogs not welcomed in the day use areas, so leave your pooches at home!

Getting there: The park is located at the end of Stephen Decatur Highway (Route 611.) From the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, head east on Route 50 towards Ocean City and turn right onto Route 611. From the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, take Route 13 north to Pocomoke City. Turn right onto Route 113 and head north toward Snow Hill. Stay on Route 113 to Berlin. Turn right onto Assateague Road (Route 376.) When it ends, turn right onto Stephen Decatur Highway (Route 611.) Or GPS it at 7307 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin MD 21811.

About Me

I love daytrips and poking around in those funny local places that no one seems to care about but which often are really interesting. I love writing too. Made sense to combine the two as each gives me an excuse to do the other! Daytrips are generally anything within a 4-hour drive - but vacations are usually daytrip-filled days from a forward operating location, so I'll be writing about those as well. Look me up on Facebook: facebook.com/midatlanticdaytrips